Page 498 - oliver-twist

With these injunctions, he pushed the rattling door with
his shoulder, and entered the house, followed by his com-
panion.
There was nobody in the bar but a young Jew, who, with
his two elbows on the counter, was reading a dirty news-
paper. He stared very hard at Noah, and Noah stared very
hard at him.
If Noah had been attired in his charity-boy’s dress, there
might have been some reason for the Jew opening his eyes
so wide; but as he had discarded the coat and badge, and
wore a short smock-frock over his leathers, there seemed no
particular reason for his appearance exciting so much at-
tention in a public-house.
‘Is this the Three Cripples?’ asked Noah.
‘That is the dabe of this ‘ouse,’ replied the Jew.
‘A gentleman we met on the road, coming up from the
country, recommended us here,’ said Noah, nudging Char-
lotte, perhaps to call her attention to this most ingenious
device for attracting respect, and perhaps to warn her to
betray no surprise. ‘We want to sleep here to-night.’
‘I’b dot certaid you cad,’ said Barney, who was the atten-
dant sprite; ‘but I’ll idquire.’
‘Show us the tap, and give us a bit of cold meat and a drop
of beer while yer inquiring, will yer?’ said Noah.
Barney complied by ushering them into a small back-
room, and setting the required viands before them; having
done which, he informed the travellers that they could be
lodged that night, and left the amiable couple to their re-
freshment.